Alexander,when FDR implemented "socialism",we climbed out of the depression, defeated fascism, and went on to one of the most prosperous times in world history.

But since real americans like yourself keep electing laissez-faire sycophants, our economy, the power of the dollar, our exports, our manufacturing strength has plumetted.

Strange as it may sound, "Average Height" is a good indicator of societal health, impacting on everything from prenatal care to nutrition to life expectancy. For a long time we americans were the talllest folks (on average) in the world. Now the Danes and Dutch are standing taller.

But I love that "real Amurkans" song you are playing, I just wish it wasn't played on a fiddle, as Rome burns.

"You know what I like about you, William? You like guns AND meditation."

Funny, Canada also had a "Greatest Generation" and we're doing fine, our deficit is under control and our biggest problem is American Teams stealing our hockey players.

Oh yeah, we have socialized health care, a safety net for the poor (welfare), free language classes for new immigrants, free education up to the college level and even university education is heavily subsidized. We also have things like freedom of speech, freedom of religion and the process to decriminalize marijuana is well underway.

In short, Canada > United States of America. If any of the pansy liberal states want to secede and join an awesome country, feel free =) (You have to give up the nukes though, no WMD in Canada, sorry).

Funny, Canada also had a "Greatest Generation" and we're doing fine, our deficit is under control and our biggest problem is American Teams stealing our hockey players.

Oh yeah, we have socialized health care, a safety net for the poor (welfare), free language classes for new immigrants, free education up to the college level and even university education is heavily subsidized. We also have things like freedom of speech, freedom of religion and the process to decriminalize marijuana is well underway.

In short, Canada > United States of America. If any of the pansy liberal states want to secede and join an awesome country, feel free =) (You have to give up the nukes though, no WMD in Canada, sorry).

I'd say socialism is working out pretty well for us.

I don't know, man. You're kind of hitting me after I've set down my sword. You've got me when I'm more aware of the pain of oppression resulting from socialism rather than the rage.

This is what I think about these things. Here in the States, we pay 15% for government run retirement (self-employed pays 15% regardless of income--no progression--employers pick up half the bill for employees). The retirement isn't supposed to kick in until two years after we've exceeded the average life span. This is what it costs us:

For simplicity sake, let's assume my taxable income is $15K/yr from the time I'm 18 to the time I'm 78 (when SS will begin.) Using http://www.moneychimp.com/calculator...calculator.htm ,calculate with a conservative rate of 6% annual return on your $2,250 per year for 60 years, on your last day of work, you'd have over 1.25M dollars. (Making $20K a year, you could easily retire with over a million dollars.)

In order to keep your 1.25M, sticking with 6% return, you'd be limited to spending no more than around $6,500 per month. (Instead of the average $1K per month.)

You could live another twenty years spending that amount of money per month and when you die, pass the $1.25M to your children or charity.

More than anything, what kills me is that I've run my own business. I'm looking at starting again. However, I have a 50%+ tax burden (calling fees and legislatedly required costs taxes). That could be 35% if I considered establishing myself for two years instead of putting money into retirement...but the oppressive nature of socialism robs me of that opportunity...Because the next person thinks SS is a great deal, they rob me of my freedom.

With socialized health care, we're looking at another 15% to cover that. (And where's that going to go? If SS started at 2 and is now at 15?)

I suppose more than anything I'm opposed to socialism because I've made a tremendous number of blunders in my life...and I think most would be relatively easy to overcome, but I have to overcome the oppression of government to do so. I feel bad for the poor mother with three kids who has no money. However, is it fair to reward her with my money when I'm trying to overcome my own mistakes? Why am I paying for hers and mine?

My response is to quit. I don't do ****. I make barely enough to survive. I carry out my own auto repairs (I've learned how to swap all major components, rebuild engines and do electricle troubleshooting and repair--including fuel system), I make my own clothes (they're much cheaper and fit well), I get my entertainment from the library for free (and I'm pretty well-read)...in a few minutes here, I'll be making my 40 cent breakfast of oatmeal and a few raw eggs (I feel healthy)...and get another cup of my half-cent per cup Folgers coffee (with a little sugar and powdered creamer, it wakes me up...and I only spend about 5 cents per day for my three cups of coffee w/the fixins)...I kind of like this alternative life...It's simple and liberating...and I don't pay for other people's mistakes or retirement.

Now, I'm probably one of the weirdest cats you'll see...but as a business person, because I'm so intense, my service was exceptional and I was happy with the dollar amount I was making (before taxes). When I entered the market, competing businesses were required to get better or lose customers...the loss of people like me is what made the USSR and China what they were...The will of those who wanted to make the world better was broke under the pressure.

Socialism offers its benefits...You notice those benefits. However, have you dealt with many businesses to know if you're happy with the mediocrity? Do you think to yourself yet,"I hate dealing with that company but there's no one else?" There is...They're just waiting for the economics of their participation to improve.

Finally, the U.S. was designed so that if one state wanted to experiment with socialism, it could without oppressing its inhabitants...we could just run to another state. When its imposed by the central government, there's no place to run...in the U.S.

This guy is a crazy idiot and should be considered neither a badass or a martial artist. Stabbing an unarmed man with a short sword does not demonstrate courage or skill.

I dunno, that's like saying having the balls to blow yourself to smithereens in a suicide attack on US troops in Iraq doesn't take courage or balls...it does, anyone saying it doesn't has something broken inside their mind.

The source of that courage may be up for debate, but these are the acts of determined, courageous people, not cowards. Cowards tend not to fight at all. Sacrificing yourself for the greater good (whatever they perceive that to be) is a respectable tradition. In this, this guy, much like the Iraqi and Afghan insurgents right now, deserve our respect and admiration, even if they are on the opposite side of the battlefield to us.

We may break them, but at what cost? Let's hope our volunteers don't dry up before theirs do. These people are definetly determined badasses.